Car insurance and finance guide

The 10 least expensive cars to insure in Canada

If you, like most people, are looking for ways to cut down the amount of money you spend on your car, you might want to start with your insurance premiums. A variety of factors impact your premiums, and the vehicle make and model are two of them.

Crossovers have proven to be low-accident vehicles, and the Ford Escape does not break the tradition; this is proven by its extremely low cost-to-insure. Redesigned for 2013, the most recent models include parallel parking assistance and a blind-spot alert system, which only add to its already sparkling safety record.

9. Jeep Compass

Jeep’s entry into the crossover market, the Compass, is based off of the popular “GS” chassis, which is also the base for the Chrysler 200, the Chrysler Sebring, the Dodge Avenger, and the Mitsubishi Lancer. The SUV itself is targeted at first-time Jeep buyers and is the brand’s least off-road capable vehicle.

8. Smart fortwo coupe

The two-seat “fortwo” coupe was created out of a need for fuel-efficient vehicles, and it has proven to be one of the best. Following its successful implementation in Europe, it has taken North America by storm, shot down naysayers and held a superb safety rating.

7. Chevrolet Equinox

The Equinox came into existence at the tail-end of the United States’ sport utility vehicle craze but it nevertheless proved to be a success; it was, for example, the official vehicle of Team Canada for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. SUVs and minivans have become regulars atop the cheapest car insurance lists as they are generally involved in very few accidents since they’re usually used as family cars.

6. Pontiac Grand Prix

The Pontiac Grand Prix has been a staple of the American car brand Pontiac since the 1960s. Following their introduction as a full-size luxury sedan, the aging model found new life in the 1990s. Despite its legendary name, it was discontinued as a result of GM filing for bankruptcy in 2008, and the 2009 model was the last one produced. Despite its absence from the market, it remains one of the cheapest cars to insure in Canada.

5. Chevrolet Malibu

The original Chevy Malibu was a variation of the famous Chevelle, and its longevity is a testament to its reliability and marketability. Following years of stagnation, the Malibu received its most recent facelift in 2008, and it was received very well by the public and automotive critics.

4. Dodge Grand Caravan

The Dodge Grand Caravan was one of the first minivans created, and it helped pioneer a new type of safe, family-oriented vehicle. It was updated in 2011 with a much sleeker and modern design.

3. Mazda Tribute

After Toyota helped launch the crossover market in North America with the release of the RAV4 in 1996, Mazda had to come up one of their own—the Tribute. It launched in 2000 and developed a strong following due to its reliability and smooth handling. Following the shakeup in the auto industry that the near-bankruptcy of GM and Ford caused, Mazda completely upgraded the Tribute and included a new, sleek interior that was far superior to the fairly “blah” interior the Tribute launched with.

2. Jeep Patriot

The Jeep Patriot is best known as one of the least expensive SUVs in North America, which explains its obscenely low cost-to-insure. It still retains the rugged off-road capabilities of the rest of the Jeep brand, so those looking for an all-terrain vehicle can rest easy.

1. Subaru Forester

Subaru is world-famous for the durability of its vehicles, and the Forester is its flagship model. Aside from its off-road prowess, the Forester is also known for its great gas mileage as well as its low cost of ownership and it was most recently awarded Motor Trend’s “SUV of the Year” for 2014. Looking for super-cheap insurance? Get one of these.